Introduction to the Reports of the West Africa Squadron
The following records come from authentic reports and correspondence of the Royal Navy dated 1827 – 1833.
They are documents that preserve the factual world behind the story of HMS Black Joke — a world of exact dates, brief dispatches, and naval terminology.
Behind each of those terse sentences stand people whose liberation meant far more to the crews than mere military success.

Here ends the tale carried by the wind,
and begins the history that can be touched on paper —
a sequence of facts, numbers, and names of those who took part in one of humanity’s first shared battles for human freedom.

Reports on the Actions of Black Joke (1827 – 1832)
February 1827 – capture of the vessel Henriqueta, later HMS Black Joke

 Excerpt from the report of Captain John Hay of HMS Syren:
 “…captured the Brazilian slaver Henriqueta off Whydah, carrying 569 persons. The vessel has been taken into the service of His Majesty under the name Black Joke.”
 (ADM 1/2738)

January 1828 – first anti‑slavery cruise

 “The newly commissioned Black Joke took to sea from Sierra Leone on her first cruise against slave traders off the Gold Coast.”
 (CO 247/2, West Africa Squadron correspondence)

5 January 1829 – pursuit of the slaver Mariner

 Report by Captain Ramsey:
 “HMS Black Joke outrun the Spanish slaver Mariner after a chase of 31 hours; rescue of approximately 430 slaves suffering from dehydration.”
 (ADM 1/2738 – Dispatches from the Commodore of the Squadron)

Final pursuit of El Almirante – March 1829

 “…engaged and captured the slaver El Almirante with 466 slaves on board. Crew and vessel delivered to Sierra Leone for adjudication by the Mixed Commissions Court.”
 (Parliamentary Papers, 1830 vol. XXV p. 321)

1831 – battle with Veloz Pascual, the eruption of Black Joke’s renown

 “…after a six‑hour fight, the Brazilian slaver Veloz Pascual struck her colours. 567 slaves found aboard, nine dead from suffocation. Exceptional conduct of Lieutenant Henry Downs commended.”
 (ADM 1/2739)

1832 – final year of service and the death of Downs

 Entry from the squadron log:
 “Lieutenant Henry Downs was killed in action pursuing the slave ship Havannah off the Bight of Benin. The Black Joke, being much worn, was broken up in Sierra Leone.”
 (Navy Records Society, vol. 50, letters 1833)